The United States and Japan will step up their defence cooperation to deal with the threat from nuclear-armed North Korea as tensions in East Asia remain high, officials from the two allies said on Thursday.

Qld cop charged with assault

A Queensland police officer has been charged with assaulting someone in custody.

The 51-year-old sergeant, who was stood down in September, assaulted a person at the Richlands watchhouse in Augusta, allege the Crime and Corruption Commission, which is also investigating whether a number of other police officers responded appropriately.

The sergeant, who has been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm whilst armed, is expected to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on February 2.